Cross-cultural Perspectives in Research and Evaluation Work, 7.5 credits

Main field of study with advanced study

22.5 credits of the following courses on second level: Health and Lifestyle in a Nordic Perspective 7.5 credits, Welfare Models in the Nordic Region 7.5 credits, New Challenges for the Welfare Society 7.5 credits, Social Sustainability in the Nordic Region 7.5 credits. English 6. Exemption of the requirement in Swedish is granted.

The course is included in Master's Programme (60 credits) in Nordic Welfare.

The overall course objective is that the student develops deepened knowledge of cross-cultural perspectives importance in research and evaluation work with emphasis on welfare issues of health and lifestyle. Furthermore, the course objective is that the student develops knowledge and understanding for the ethical perspectives in analyses and evaluation work. Another course objective is that the student develops skills to apply methods in research and evaluation work, with emphasis on comparisons (Nordic and international) of factors like participation, inclusion, integration and migration, and linked to UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Following successful completion of the course the student should:

Knowledge and understanding

• describe and explain the meaning of cross-cultural, concepts and perspectives and what impact they have in research and evaluation work with focus on health and lifestyle
• describe and explain differences between quantitative and qualitative methods in research and evaluation work with appliances on quantitative analyses

Skills and ability

• define problems in research work with emphasis on welfare issues including health and lifestyle and with a clear link to 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
• carry out a research and evaluation work

Judgement and approach

• critically analyze and compare measures for participation and integration, including perspectives on sustainability and gender, in the context of a welfare society and from cross-cultural and ethical perspectives
• discuss and analyze the own study with emphasis on its impact on research and evaluation work and in decision-making contexts

The main focus of the course is cross-cultural aspects and their impact on research and evaluation work, and decision-making processes, from a societal level and with emphasis on issues from a Nordic welfare perspective. There is a focus on methods in research and evaluation work and include qualitative as well as quantitative methods. The course includes practical assignments of the method photovoice for comparative perspectives, and training in statistical methods. There is Nordic and international comparisons of differences and similarities in factors such as participation, inclusion, integration, migration, equality and labour market included in the course. Comparisons of factors of 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development will also be carried out.

The teaching consists of lectures, seminars, group exercises, field studies, self-directed learning, and an internet-based platform for communication and teaching.

The examination consists of individual written examination and a group assignment in evaluation work with oral and written presentation at obligatory seminar.

If there are special reasons, the examiner may make exceptions from the specified examination format and allow a student to be examined in another way. Special reasons can e.g. be study support for students with disabilities.

Course evaluation is part of the course. This evaluation offers guidance in the future development and planning of the course. Course evaluation is documented and made available to the students.